By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension is encouraging livestock producers to test nitrate levels in hay and forage before feeding them to animals. High nitrate levels can create serious health concerns for livestock, especially pregnant animals and ruminants such as cattle.
Nitrate test strips provide a quick and affordable way for producers to screen forage and estimate nitrate levels. These strips help identify potential problems before forage is fed to livestock. If producers receive high test results or suspect elevated nitrate levels, they are encouraged to seek assistance from a veterinarian, South Dakota State University Extension field specialist, or a certified forage testing laboratory.
South Dakota State University Extension offers nitrate testing services at several locations across South Dakota. Testing is available at regional centers in Aberdeen, Lemmon, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, and Winner. Additional testing services are available at Berg Agricultural Hall and Raven Precision Agriculture Center on the SDSU campus in Brookings, along with county offices in Bennett, Butte, Clay, Fall River, and Haakon counties. To learn more, visit the SDSU Extension nitrate testing page.
For a free, how-to guide on using nitrate test strips, visit the SDSU Extension page.
Environmental conditions often increase nitrate accumulation in plants. Drought stress, frost, cloudy weather, hail damage, and heavy nitrogen fertilizer applications can all raise nitrate levels in forage crops. Because nitrate toxicity may reduce livestock performance, cause illness, or even result in death, testing forage is considered an important management practice.
Producers can access a free guide from SDSU Extension that explains how to use nitrate test strips effectively. These educational resources help farmers and ranchers better understand potential risks and improve feeding decisions.
"Don't let a preventable nitrate issue turn valuable forage into a costly liability,” said Parker Witt, SDSU Extension Crop-Livestock Systems Field Specialist. “Free nitrate testing through SDSU Extension helps forage producers preserve feed value, and livestock owners make informed management decisions before animal health, forage utilization or profitability are affected.”
For more information, contact Jaelyn Whaley, SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist; Parker Witt, SDSU Extension Crop-Livestock Systems Field Specialist; or Kim Ricardo, SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist.
Photo Credit: pexels-jeffrey-czum
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Hay & Forage, Livestock